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First Cornerstone among entries for Juddmonte Beresford Stakes

THE Curragh stages it’s penultimate fixture of the 2012 season this Sunday when the Group Two Juddmonte Beresford Stakes is the highlight on an exciting 8 race programme which gets under way at 2.10pm.

Andy Oliver is having a fabulous season and the Co Tyrone-based trainer will be represented by the fast improving First Cornerstone at the weekend. The son of Hurricane Run showed a tremendous attitude when landing the Group Two Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes at this venue in August and Oliver reports his colt to be in fine form.

“We will wait until later in the week before making a decision about Sunday’s race but First Cornerstone could not be in better form and has thrived since his last race,” commented Oliver. “While he has never won on extremes of ground, we would not be concerned about testing ground for him because we know from the last day that he handles it well.”

Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has a fabulous record in the feature event and will be attempting to win it for the twelfth time since Johan Cruyff gave him his first success in 1996. O’Brien has left eight horses – Afonso De Sousa, Battle Of Marengo, Eye Of The Storm, Kingston Jamaica, Lines Of Battle, Nevis, Sir Walter Scott and The Ferryman – in Sunday’s contest and plans will firmed up later in the week according to a stable spokesperson.

In total there are 16 horses remaining in the one mile juvenile contest. There are 24 horses remaining in the Group Three C.L. Weld Park Stakes, which includes three overseas challengers in Savanna La Mar, Sorella Bella and Waterway Run. The home challenge is headed by Awakened Spirit, Big Break, Salhooda and recent course winner Spinacre.

Awakened Spirit has also been left in the Listed Anglesey Lodge Equine Blenheim Stakes for which 19 horses have stood their ground.

A packed program of entertainment during the afternoon will provide the Irish Pony Club with the opportunity to highlight their various activities with presentations by TRI Equestrian to their 2012 winning teams and individuals. There will be a variety of free entertainment for all children with a horse racing theme which will take place in the main enclosure.